2 Corinthians 8:10
in 2 Corinthians 8And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And herein I give my judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.
KJV
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 8
Commentary
12 notes on this verseSee how he takes care not to be a burden to them. "I give my advice," he says, that is, I counsel, and do not impose necessity; and I counsel so that there may be more benefit to you than to those who receive.
This site's exposition
this is my opinion
on 2 Corinthians 8:10-12
This is my opinion about what is helpful for you marks counsel to a church whose desire had run a year ahead of its giving. Paul asks them to finish the work, since readiness that never becomes a gift helps no saint in Jerusalem.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
A commentator
Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 329 · Written before 458.
proposed
Paul knows and respects their willingness to help, but the time has now come for that willingness to be translated into action.
See how again he is careful to give no offence and softens down what he says, by these two things, by saying, "I give advice," and, "for your profit." 'For, neither do I compel and force you,' says he, 'or demand it from unwilling subjects; nor do I say these things with an eye so much to the receivers benefit as to yours.' Then the instance also which follows is drawn from themselves, and not from others. Who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. See how he shows both that themselves were willing, and had come to this resolution without persuasion. For since he had borne this witness to the Thessalonians, that "of their own accord with much intreaty," they had prosecuted this giving of alms; he is desirous of showing of these also that this good work is their own. Wherefore he said, "not only to do, but also to will," and not "begun," but "begun before, a year ago." Unto these things therefore I exhort you, whereunto ye beforehand bestirred yourselves with all forwardness.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Then when he says, "And in this matter I give my advice," he induces them to give on their part. In regard to this he does two things. First, he shows the benefit they will obtain from this; secondly, he shows that this is desired …
A commentator
BonaventureDisputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
Likewise, on what follows in the same place: In this I give counsel; Augustine in the original: "He was made poor to such an extent that He did not have what foxes have; and in this I give counsel, that is to say, that you …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Many a thing which is good for us to do, yet can not be said to be, by express and indispensable commandment, our duty at this or that time. Another argument is taken from the consideration of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The best arguments for Christian duties are those that are taken from the love of Christ, that constraineth us.
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
What else did their good purposes and good beginnings signify? Good purposes, indeed, are good things; they are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing, without performances.
And herein I give my advice,.... As Daniel did to Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 4:
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Herein I give my advice - For I speak not by way of commandment, 2Co 8:8. For this is expedient for you - It is necessary you should do this to preserve a consistency of conduct; for ye began this work a year ago, and it is necessary that ye should complete it as soon as possible.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
This agrees with one, and only one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store the fund from which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case which is shown by 1Co 16:2 to have existed [PALEY, Horæ Paulinæ].
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And herein I give my advice - Not undertaking to command them, or to prescribe how much they should give. Advice will go much further than commands on the subject of charities. For this is expedient for you - (συμφέρει sumpherei). That is, this will be of advantage to you; it will be profitable; it will be becoming. The idea is, that they were bound by a regard to consistency and to their own welfare, to perform what they had purposed. It became them; it was proper, and was demanded; and there would have been manifest disadvantages if it had not been done. Who have begun before - Who commenced the collection a year before; see 2Co 8:6. It had been commenced with fair prospects of success, but had been interrupted probably by the dissensions which arose in the church there. Not only to do - Not merely to accomplish it as if by constraint, or as a matter of compulsion and drudgery. But also to be forward - Margin, “Willing.” So the Greek τὸ θέλειν to thelein. They were voluntary in this, and they set about it with vigorous and determined zeal and courage. There was a resolute determination in the thing, and a willingness and heartiness in it which showed that they were actuated by Christian principle. Consistency, and their own reputation and advantage, now demanded that they should complete what they had begun.
The words behind it
21 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| γνώμην | gnomen | a judgment | G1106 → | |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τούτῳ | touto | this [matter] | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| δίδωμι· | didomi | I give; | G1325 → | 412 times |
| τοῦτο | touto | this | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| γὰρ | gar | indeed | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ὑμῖν | humin | for you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| συμφέρει, | sumpherei | is profitable, | G4851 → | |
| οἵτινες | oitines | who | G3748 → | |
| οὐ | ou | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| μόνον | monon | only | G3441 → | 110 times |
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ποιῆσαι | poiesai | to act | G4160 → | 569 times |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θέλειν | thelein | to will | G2309 → | 208 times |
| προενήρξασθε | proenerxasthe | you began before | G4278 → | |
| ἀπὸ | apo | before | G575 → | 640 times |
| πέρυσι. | perusi | a year ago. | G4070 → |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
γνώμηνa judgment
gnomenG1106 →
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τούτῳthis [matter]
toutoG3778 →1381 times
δίδωμι·I give;
didomiG1325 →412 times
τοῦτοthis
toutoG3778 →1381 times
γὰρindeed
garG1063 →1039 times
ὑμῖνfor you
huminG4771 →2973 times
συμφέρει,is profitable,
sumphereiG4851 →
οἵτινεςwho
oitinesG3748 →
οὐnot
ouG3756 →1664 times
μόνονonly
mononG3441 →110 times
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
ποιῆσαιto act
poiesaiG4160 →569 times
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
θέλεινto will
theleinG2309 →208 times
προενήρξασθεyou began before
proenerxastheG4278 →
ἀπὸbefore
apoG575 →640 times
πέρυσι.a year ago.
perusiG4070 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
it leads to
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 28:27
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
- Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured…
- 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Hebrews 6:10
Through
Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
it leads to
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
- Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- Hebrews 13:1–2
Continue in brotherly love.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bonaventure, Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 17 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theodoret of Cyrus, COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 329; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.